Saturday, October 29, 2005

Hey TaraI see you powered up yur Blog again.Scoring a goal in soccer is about as good a reason as any!

I'm gonna leave a link here for Taras Talesfor the 3 or 4 people that read my Blog.Now you will be innundated the visitors...not!I know you are humble and do not neccessarily want all the traffic.But now you have incentive to keep yur Blog up to date.

For the 3 or 4 people who read my blog, you probably know Tara.But if ya dont I'll tell ya.

Tara is my sister.Thats christianese for fellow passionate beleiver.I introduced my friend Kim as my sister one time and everyone thought that was literal. Of course that would be my fault for using coded lingo.

At any rate, Tara and I are going to school together.Its been a joy and an honour to call her my freind.She has a great heart for God and is continually sweet for Jesus.

P.S. Tara, I hope you didnt read all the rotton things I said about myself.

I've always wanted to write a book or something.My mom told me to start keeping a diary so the blog is it.I hate reading but I love stories.

Friend, watch out for people like me that appear to have it all together.The truth is I dont't. I struggle with lots of stuff.I have really been trying to grow up, what with my language and thought and stuff.I struggle with my righteousness vs my humanity.I've seen stuff and I've done stuff that I am not really proud of.I am working on my language right now. I am working on my temper.I am working on my understanding. I'm working on my various addictions that keep me going back to where I dont want to be. I have tons of pride and it makes me not think clearly.I am quick to offer advice, but not take advice. I find myself lying, when the truth would be better. I feel like Paul in Romans sometimes.

I am studying to be a pastor. If I was a real pastor I could tell you the chapter and verse, but I'm just a wanna be with a heart for God. Go to Romans and read what Paul has to say about sin. Maybe you can tell me the chapter verse. I so identifiy with him. The thing I want to do I do not do, and the things I should not do, I do. Its so confusing.

I keep thinking that by the time I become a pastor I'll have it all together. For some reason God keeps tugging at my heart. He keeps beckoning me to do stuff and I feel powerless to say no. I should maybe tell some of those tales on my blog. When I look back, I can see Gods hand on me even though I am a broken vessal. I take great heart when I see some of the other people God has called. I'm part of Gods ragtag army of misfits. I cry out to Him to help me get Holy, but its a hard road.

Hanni you may recognize things that I am saying in yourself. Someday, people are going to say to you, "you are so cool". You really have it together. Its at that moment when you will think about your past and some of your deep thoughts and probably come to the same realization as me. The only real goodness that is in me, is that which God has put in me.As you said, the line was drawn in the sand. So what side are we on?

I hope you dont mind if I pray for you.

Dear God. Thank you that You keep calling people like my friend.Thank you Lord that you have revealled Yourself to her.Lord I pray that You would continue to walk with her.Lord, no doubt she has some stuff she is not proud of.No doubt, Your Love and desire for Her will cause her to work through some tough stuff.I thank You Lord that You have always stood by me, and I pray that You would do the same for Her and so many others. Lord I have been reading about how Moses continually petitioned to You with regards to his people. I'm certainly not Moses Lord, but, Father I pray that You would hear my prayer and that You would bless Hanni. Make her to be a golden lampstand. Fill Her with Your Holy Spirit and give her the strength it takes to live in this messed up world. In the quitness of Her heart, would You fill her with a real sense of Your presence. I pray for this in and through the name of Jesus.amen

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

So this is number one.I took this picture in the bathroom mirror.Number one was brought to us in the mouth of his mother.He is the cat my wife romantically wished for.Black with white pawsWe are name handicapped.My wife and I laughed about that as we named him number one.He is number one for two reasons.1 He was the first kitten to be brought to us by mother2 He occupies our time and has become number one for attention3 We are Star Trek Fanshey that was three

Monday, October 24, 2005

Big RedAble to leap tall buildings is a single bound.Faster than a speeding bullet.Freind to the oppressedand master of his domain.Big RedA ladies mancharming and strong.Handsome and devonaireA legend in his own mindBig Red

I blogged about being a haven for stray cats. Well, a freind picked up the mother, leaving us with 3 kittens. Sunday was a good day in the cat flogging business. We managed to get rid of 2 kittens to great homes. That leaves us with one kitten and 2 original cats (one being a stray) The kitten we kept is the black kitty with white paws. Thats the one my wife prayed for before we got into this mess. We are not good at cat names so here is his name: "number one" This name angers my daughter and she wants some originality anmd thought. So she wants to call it Sylvester.

So here is the question: What was Sylvesters sons name in the Loony Tunes cartoon?

We are so bad with our cat names. Our big male stray's name is Big Red. He comes and goes as he pleases. Hey Hanni, you'de love Big Red. He showed up at our place meowing. When we opened the door to the house, he ran in and lay on the floor. When I went to the fridge he was there. Obviously he is experienced. We shared him with our neighbours as he comes and goes as he pleases. He has given up on them and he is ours full time....when he lets us. He comes home to sleep and then he leaves to fight. We dont want to get him fixed as every time we get a cat fixed, it gets run over by a car. Big Red hits me when I touch his tail. Though the temptation is great, I try to refrain from doing that. One night while sleeping on our bed, he wagged his tail. It hit me on the head. He assumed it was me and gave me a big wallup! Seems the rule is always in effect regardless of my inocense! Big Red is afraid of number one! What a baby!

We learned in class that the book od Psalms was the praise and worship book for the early church. When we look at the Psalms, we find that the majority of Psalms are "dark" for the lack of a better word. That is they are cries from Gods people. Cries like "why Lord do the wicked prosper" or "why Lord do you hide your face from me" It seems that in corporate worship, people were not afraid to express their sorrows and frustrations.

Now we fast forward to today. We meet on Sunday and we all wear our rose colour glasses. We paint on our brave smiles and we head to worship. We do not express our sorrow, frustration and tears. In our worship, we focus our worship time singing positive songs, extolling Gods goodness.That is great as God deserves our Praise. But in a sense, I beleive He desires us and relationship with us.....all of us....not just part of us.

Where are the tears? Where are the questions and cries? Where do we admit our confussion or problems! I know that that is what house church is for. I know that that is what mentors and brothers and sisters in Christ are for.

It just that I worry about the fact that our corporate worship may be insincere if we are not offering the "full meal deal" to God and to ourselves and to others.

Are christians thought to be 2 faced, fake, false, in sincere? When we only tell half the story about how we feel, are we doing any good? Is there a place in worship where we can pour it out?

In the Pentacostal church its called the alter. One can bring the "dark" side of their faith and dump it at the feet of Jesus. There is something special about getting down on ones knees at the alter and letting it all out. If you have never tried it I suggest you do so. The act of pouring out ones fears and troubles truthfully, at the cross, while brothers and sisters gather to pray and encourage you, is a very cleansing experience.

As we strive to be "real" in our relationship with God, we must admit to ourselves and cry out to God. Life is NOT a bowl of cherries! I am certain if you cry out to Him, He will be there. He understands and He cares.

Friday, October 21, 2005

What a Night!Last night I had my Old Testament class. We were discussing missions and the fact that The promises given to Abrahamin Genesis point to a missions expectation of God. God told Abraham that He would bless him and that all nations would be blessed through him.

We talked about sess pool christianity, whereby the blessings that were intended to flow through us, in fact get captured and held. The "Living Water" that was intended for the nations, get caught up in these sess pools and they do not flow to the nations as God commanded.If we do this, we are in fact wicked and disobedient.So if we are grateful for the wonderful grace that God has given us, then we in turn MUST pass these blessings on to all the world and all the nations.

We are adopted children. We are sons and daughters of God, having accepted Christ as our saviour. We are part of these blessing promised to Abraham, and therefore part of this responsibility.Having heard this, I was cut to the heart.

Dear God,Thank You for Your Word. Thank You that You have called us to be Your People. Father I am sorry for my wickedness. I am sorry that there have been times when I have captered Your word, and grace and love and held it for myself. Father it is so great to receive Your blessings, but my tempatation is to think that I deserve it. Oh wicked is my heart Lord when I have not shared Your word. Father I pray that You might continue to find favour in me, and I pray Lord that I might have the wisdom, strength and conviction to see that it is shared with Your people. Father I know Your will is that none should perish. I know that it is Your will that You might be glorified through me, by me, through Your people and by Your people.Thank You Lord for the missions127 team. I pray Lord that You continue to bless them, as they are more than willing to fulfil Your expectation of sharing.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

So one of our assignments was to read the entire OT. I have basically a month or two to do it. I just read it a few years ago and it took me the full year. So it doesnt take a rocket scientist to know that I'm in trouble here. Especially since I am a poor reader with not much time.So.........I went to the christian bookstore and picked up the Bible on CD.......WOW!64 cd's!!!!!!!!!!!!Its amazing.

You see I spend about 2.5 hours a day in my car. That means that if I listen to the CD's every day, I can actually make my goal.I got the cd's today, and already I'm at Genesis 18.This is so cool.I now have my very own biblical narrator!Prophets had scribes, scribes had pens, and the narrator reads it all to me! You have no idea how blessed I am!

So heres something that struck me.I'm always looking for Jesus in the OT.I find Him in the so many places.Listening to Genesis, I found him again in this passage.

1 "Let US make man in our image" (at creation)

now heres one I hadnt seen (or heard) before

2 "come let US go down and confuse their language ( at Babel)

Now I'm sure some scholar will tell me these are not proof of Jesus existing at creation, even though John and others tell us it is so.

Its just that I've found myself saying "Jesus, is that you?"There is this certain feeling of warmth and joy when you recognize a freind or loved one. When this feeling jumps from the page and brings peace to the heart, there has to be something there. I know that I can't physically see or touch Him, but when I read about Him and ponder that in my heart, I truly know that He is here.

Dear God, if it is in your will, would you turn this crappy dial up connection into a high speed connection. I've tried everything.I even conspired with the kids to move. I cant take it any longer!You have to help me! I know you have a lot on your plate, what with all the war, hatred, death, deceit, and other miracle requests, not to mention selfishness and stupidity. I know that this is perhaps lower on your priority list, but if I dont get high speed I'm gonna go craZY....I cant take it any longer! If I had High speed, I could waste more time in less time and then I would have more time to complain about other, less important issues.dw

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

So I arrived home to be greeted by my wife saying " I dont think you are going to be very happy" I said "why?" She said "i'll show you. She brought me inside and showed me a stray cat that dropped in to visit. She was a skinny, scrawny cat. Looked like she'd been on the road for a while. She was very happy and well mannered. She seemed to settle in quite nicely. So my heart was breaking and thought Oh Well. Whats one more cat. (I already have 2...one being a stray)

Upon further inspection we realized that she probably had kittens. We could tell as she looked like a feeding station. So, after feeding her, and giving her rest, we let her out. A couple of hours later she appears with a kitten in her mouth. We thought oh well, so now we have 4. Well we let her out again and she appeared with yet another kitten. We welcomed that in. Next day, she went out for a couple of hours and came back with yet another. Now we are at 5. They are all weened, litter trained and eating solid food.

I called a freind of mine who was looking for a cat, and he picked up the mother, who will now have a luxurious home in upscale Hamilton (is there such a place?)

That leaves me with 3 kittens. My wife said "I have a confession to make" I said "do tell".She said she saw a little black cat with white paws and found herself saying "oh, I wish I had one of those" Well guess what? One of the Kittys is black with white paws, and my wife is convinced that it is her fault.

Saturday, October 15, 2005

We're almost halfway done Old Testament Foundations.
In fact I'm taking a little breaK from a project I'm
working on. Its really cool! Its a timeline of early
Jewish Biblical History.
2100BC-70AD is the range I chose.
From the call of Abraham
to the Final Destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

My freind Tara emailled me the new courses available
for the next 2 semesters at CTS.

Tara is probably taking the PERSONAL FORMATION class.
We both know the prof for that course
Peter Ralph is Awesome!

As much as I'd love to take that class,this preaching
and teaching course has me charged. My current OT prof
is teaching this class. I really like him and trust him to
guide me well.
This is the course I'm planning on taking next.

Looks like Tara and I will be back to the same class next semester.
The course is Alliance History and Thought.
I'm not that fussy on indoctrination stuff,
but this is a mandatory prerequisite for ordination or work
within the Christian Missionary Alliance Church.

This course trains students in the methods of exegesis of
the various genres of the Bible for purposes of preaching
and teaching. Students will develop and test their skills in
the preparation of portions of scripture for these purposes.

Mark has authored or edited four books and over 30 articles
on the Old Testament and Semitic Languages.
He has recently completed a commentary on Haggai-Zechariah.
Has enjoyed teaching for CTS for the past decade;
having served two churches (in Toronto & Philadelphia)
he brings to his teaching a pastor’s heart.

Friday, October 14, 2005

In it's report on Global Missions, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada confirmed:

"When we compared churches that have a growing missions program and those that do not, we discovered some interesting differences. Simply put, churches that have seen growth in the past five years have short-term mission teams high on their agenda."

my 2 cents............We need to ponder this in our hearts. We need to carefully consider what this is telling us.Not only does the word of God require this, but we see the proof is in the pudding....as it were.

Lets claim real religion. PLease read James 1:27

Eugen Peterson puts it this way: Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.

Monday, October 10, 2005

My brother and his wife and freinds areheading to Kyrgyzstan Tommorrow.They are helping to lay the ground work fora real life reality TV show without the TV.Let me explain...this is really cool.

Its called "While You Were Out: Kyrgyi Style"Heres the big plan.They identify a senior(s) who require attention.They remove the senior from the home and take them to a facility designed to have them cared for. It would be like a vaction almost spa like for them. They could receive care as required and they could receive love and fellowship.While the senior(s) are out, a team is cleaning, redecorating and outfitting the seniors home. When the senior(s) return, they will have a new lease on life. They will have seen the love of Jesus evidenced and they will receive physical care.

Thursday, October 06, 2005

My son played Rugby for Fergus Highland Club this year. They went all the way to the Ontario Finals this year. They got beat out in a real heart breaker by Oshawa. Oshawa had a bunch of players from the Ontario Rep team, including the Ontario rep team coaches. They were real slick. Our guys stood their ground, but in the end Oshawa was just too good. As you can see, the loss was actually a victory. They took second All-Ontario. Thats quite a feat for such a small, low funded organization. The boys were disappointed not to take the whole ball of wax, but we are proud of them nonethe less. In our eyes they are number one! Hats off to the boys, their coaches, assistants, the club, Rugby Ontario and most importantly, the doctors and physicians, the emergency response team and the ambulance drivers.dw